A racing team led by Illabo veterans Kerry Phelan and Joe Belling did the region proud at the 24 Hours of LeMons endurance event in Goulburn at the weekend.
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Team AVVRG – named in support of the Australian Vietnam Volunteers Resource Group – finished 23rd in the 45 car race, which required entrants to race with cars valued at less than $999.
But team captain Phelan said his team, which raced with a 25-year-old ED Falcon XR6, achieved the primary objective of endurance racing.
“Our goal all the way along was to finish the race,” Phelan said.
“A lot of cars were knocked out with engine problems and one team had to completely rebuild their motor.
“We were bulletproof in terms of consistency, but we lost laps due to having to change drivers and refuel every hour.”
Phelan said the event was both serious and tongue in cheek.
“It may be a fun event, but once the flag goes down, everyone really goes for it,” Phelan said.
“I was surprised at the speed of the race, the pace was really on but our 25-year-old car just kept going.”
But the good-natured event wasn’t without controversy.
Adversity struck the team mid-way through the second day during one of Bathurst racing legend Bob Forbes’ stints in the car, as a young competitor dive bombed him while rounding a tight corner.
Forbes’ fury was quickly subdued when the youngster swiftly appeared at team AVVRG’s pit lane with an apology and a six pack of beer.
The light-hearted nature of the event continued to shine shone through the weekend with drivers guilty of misdemeanors forced to sing in front of the crowd or complete a jigsaw puzzle before resuming the race.
The team covered 545 laps and 1199 kms, reached a top speed of 195 km/h, used 430 litres of fuel and shredded two sets of tires and brake pads.
Adding to the chaos was the team losing use of its clutch all together to finish the final day, seeing out the race entirely in fourth gear.
The event was six months in the making for the experienced team.
Phelan and Belling first discussed competing in March and once former local Ford dealer Roger Moore donated a car to the cause, the dream had become reality.
The team consisted of Kerry Phelan, Joe Belling, Bob Forbes, Josh Crimmins, John Weihen, Chris Carter and Jason Sparks.
